South Africa outperformed most international markets in 2009 and recorded growth in foreign arrivals of 3.6%. As Minister of Tourism, Mr Marthinus van Schalkwyk, said 'This defies the decline of 4% that the global travel industry experienced last year as traveller markets reeled from the effects of the global financial crisis.' South Africa recorded a total of more than 9.9 million (9 933 966) foreign arrivals last year, compared to approximately 9.6 million (9 591 828) in 2008. 'I regard this kind of growth in the context of international conditions as a resounding vote of confidence in our tourism industry and our destination,' the Minister said.

According to the United Nations World Tourism Organisation's (UNWTO) January 2010 World Tourism Barometer the global industry ended the year on a 4% decline in arrivals. Arrivals growth to South Africa was driven by healthy increases in arrivals from Central and South America (3.5% growth), Asia (3.7% growth), Africa air markets (3.3% growth) and Africa land markets (5.7% growth). Thandiwe January-Mclean, chief executive officer at South African Tourism congratulated the industry on growth in a year that would be remembered as one of the toughest ever for the global industry. She added 'We will continue marketing our destination aggressively to embed awareness, stimulate the desire to visit South Africa and ensure that arrivals to South Africa continue to grow ahead of global trends.'